Versatile hairdos for competitive ladies

[pygmalion]

What do you ladies (or gentlemen, I guess) do with your hair, if you compete in both smooth/standard and rhythm/Latin?

I'm thinking of having a couple wigs made -- one an ultra- short, bright red bob for rhythm, and one a silky straight, jet bkack bun for smooth. Hmm. It only costs a couple hundred bucks to get a wig made, and I'd have it for a long time (or until hair fashions change dramatically.)

How do you work around the hair thing?

[Laura]

I'm not so sure about wigs -- aren't they hot? I know a couple of women who tried wigs for Latin and didn't end up liking it very much.

That said, hairpieces are very helpful. I have one that is a small bun. I make a ponytail out of my own hair, ball it up, and pop the bun over it. It's very easy and fool-proof. I'm lucky in that my hair color happens to match one of the Revlon "Ready To Wear" Hair colors. Unfortunately, I just looked at the old web site where I ordered my hair pieces from, and the styles I bought don't seem to be sold anymore! I better take good care of the one I bought....

A friend of mine has a fake ponytail that she would braid into her real ponytail to make it longer for Latin.

The women I know who do both styles in the same day just put their in a low bun at the nape of their neck.

[Ashley]

To me, it seems that a French Twist would be versatile. For standard, I would accent it with crystals, and for Latin, I'd put a small floral decoration on the pin.

[pygmalion]

When I first tried wigs, I found them hot and uncomfortable, yes. But I got used to them. And wig-making "technology," if you call it that, has matured a lot.

I've had hair extensions on and off for a couple years, now. The technqiue used by my stylist is essentially building a wig, but sewing it to your own hair. It's human hair sewn to a loose mesh netting, which is then sewn to your own braids. Works like a charm, and it's only really hot if you buy extremely long hair that hangs around your neck and shoulders. Bottom line is I don't think a wig would bother me at all, even while dancing. I'm used to it. I'm sure other people feel differently. *shrug* (btw, there are other hair extension techniques. Stay away from anything involving adhesives, is my recommendation. *shudder*)

I think it would be nice (and perhaps a competitive edge LOL) to have dramatically different looks for smooth than for rhythm. Besides, aren't there two different conventions in terms of hair color and style, for the two different dance styles? :?:

[Kitty]

I never realized the hair is supposed to be done differently for different styles, I thought a bun was always a bun...

So what is the difference?

[pygmalion]

Hair color, for one. And buns aren't necessarily the done thing for Latin, are they? (It may be a while before we get responses, here. Hiloday weekend and all that.)

[mamboqueen]

At my last comp, I did rythym and then very shortly after that did my smooth. I had very little time in between and decided to eat rather than try to fuss with my hair. I had just had my hair cut in a "short long" cut, so I basically slicked a lot of it back, put two small curls on the bottom/front part and basically gelled them on my face, parted it on one side and left it like that. The only change I made when I did smooth was to remove the curls from my face and gel all the hair behind my ears. Kinda hard to explain. I'm so inept at doing things with my hair, I just figured a short cut for me was the way to go.

[Laura]

Hair color, for one. And buns aren't necessarily the done thing for Latin, are they? (It may be a while before we get responses, here. Hiloday weekend and all that.)

A lot of Latin competitors have been doing the "low bun at the nape of the neck" for the past few years. But styles change...a while ago it was long ponytails that would flick around. I wonder what it's heading toward now?

[Larinda McRaven]

I would say that 90 percent of the pros in Latin and Standard and Smooth, this weekend, had a low bun at the nape of the neck. It is easily "The Thing To Do" right now.

[Victoria]

I also dance both styles - really anything seems to go, but generally a bun as has been discussed before seems to be the way to go.
A second suggestion for those of you out there with long hair is 2 buns - one regular one then a slightly smaller one above - this can form a really pretty looking "rose" effect and is very versatile for both styles.
Here is a picture:
http://www.ianvictoria.co.uk/images/latinhair.jpg

[pygmalion]

What a darling style, Victoria. 8)

How about hair color?

[Victoria]

What a darling style, Victoria. 8)



Thank you :D

[Elizabeth]

I frequently do people's hair for competiton on the college circuit, and I almost always do a low bun if the lady is competitng in both standard and latin. A french twist or a higher bun is more a standard look IMO.

If you want to make the hairdo look different for the different styles, I suggest that you rely on hair pieces and jewelry for that. If you have hair that's the right color (usually platinum blond or black) you find small hair pieces that you can attach on above the bun for standard. Some of these even come pre-decorated with stones. You can also you hair sticks (spray the ends with hairspray before inserting), or other ornaments that you stick into the bun. If you have your hair parted you can glue rinestones along the part for latin. There are tons of things you can do that won't take up too much of your time between styles.

If you don't like just a plain low bun there are some variations that you can use that would suit both styles. There was one woman on the MIT team who did both standard and latin and had really thick hair. For her I found the best thing to do was to part her hair on the right and make a roll on the left side going down to a low bun in the back. She'd then put hair sticks in that were decorated to match her ballgown for standard, and would switch to a silk flower beside the bun for latin.

[pygmalion]

These are some great tips, Elizabeth. I have a trip to the beauty supply store all planned. They have a lot of hair ornaments and jewelery. It's never too early to start experimenting. :D

[twnkltoz]

I'm incapable of doing ANYthing with my hair, so I wear a bun for everything. And, the only reason I'm able to do that is because of the Revlon hair pieces (Laura and I have so much in common)! I also got a pretty one from...oh shoot, now I forget the name...Uniquely Yours? Anyway, I think a bun is sleekly elegant for any style. Sometimes people go a little overboard with their hair and I wonder what they were thinking! I saw a girl at a comp once who was getting a very elaborate style done by a professional comp hairdresser. It took two or three hours. She didn't make the first cut...what a waste!

[DancingMommy]

These are some great tips, Elizabeth. I have a trip to the beauty supply store all planned. They have a lot of hair ornaments and jewelery. It's never too early to start experimenting. :D

In my neck of the woods there's a place called Debrorah D's Divas. I've bought hair poufs for me and my daughter there. I wear mine dancing, she wears hers for pageants. They have an extraordinary range of colors/styles.

[pygmalion]

What are hair poufs?

[Purr]

What suggestions does anyone have for ladies with short hair?

[Laura]

Broadway fake nails, you can get them at Walgreen's and RiteAid. They come already colored so they don't chip or peel either. If you dance Latin or Smooth you should probably use nail glue, but if you dance Standard you can get away with the double-stick press-on tabs. You can reuse the nails a few times until the glue builds up underneath, too.

[DancingMommy]

Stay away from anything involving adhesives, is my recommendation. *shudder*

Oh AMEN! I had an awful haircut once and had weave put in to cover it up. OMG that was the longest day of my life. And it grew out SO fast. It looked cool for about 2 weeks and then my weave slid to the back of my head - totally strange looking. I ended up taking it out after a while.

And then there was the time I had extensions.... Orangey-blonde ones, I might add... My hair was so slick they kept falling out. When I took those out, my hair had been braided so tight I looked like an orangey-blonde Buckwheat. Boy did I get weird looks for that.

My newest obsession is a curly bun cover. It's aweseome. Total perfect color match for my hair. I also have a woven bun cover too. I love clip on hair!

[DancingMommy]

What are hair poufs?

Baby sized "Miss Texas" hair, lol! They cover a bun or are hair scrunchees that have curly hair attached to it. If I can find a pic, I'll post it....

http://store6.yimg.com/I/about-wigs_1800_4154299.jpg

That is what mine looks like only not blonde - more auburn.

http://store6.yimg.com/I/about-wigs_1800_44388845.jpg

This is sort of what Gabriella's looks like. It's a pony wrap.

Both are by "Hair U Wear"....

This site seems to have everything you could possibly need for clip on hair... www .wigs.net

[mamboqueen]

Well, aside from the fact that I'm "challenged" with hairstyling, isn't there something to be said for looking different? I don't just want to be another bun out there on the floor. I mean, five black latin dresses and five buns out there and the only thing to distinguish them ends up being the number on the guy's back. I'm going to forego the bun and try something different. What, I don't know yet, but I'm "holding the bun" this time around.

[pygmalion]

Would you by any chance be on the Atkins Diet? :roll: :lol:

[mamboqueen]

*LOL* Hold the buns! Actually, I'm kinda sorta doing South Beach. I've been cheating when it comes to grilled cheeseburgers and use the low carb rolls. I just can't see the point of having the burger without the bun.

[Laura]

That's so funny...I've gotten to the point where I can't stand the taste of bread with my burgers because it detracts from the flavor of the meat + toppings. I like to wrap them in big lettuce leaves.

[tasche]

MMM the carls Jr chicken low carb burgers are soo good. Much better than the low carb $6 burger

Ok back on top. What about ppl with curly hair thats not long enough to pull into anything?

[Elizabeth]

Ok back on top. What about ppl with curly hair thats not long enough to pull into anything?

IMO, that's the toughest kind of hair to deal with.

First of all, whatever you do, use tons of gel. My current favorite is the LA Looks Sport Hold. The fact that I can usually get it in a pump bottle is nice; its easier to do hair if you can dispense gel 1-handed..

I'd say that what you do with it depends on how long it is, and whether the cut is layered or not. If the parts on top are longer that the parts on the bottom you might be able to do something interesting with it. You might even be able to look like your hair is in a bun if you had a fake bun to use. If its short all over, though, there aren't a whole lot of options. I'm not very good with really short hair.

[Twilight_Elena]

I have totally straight hair. Lucky me?

Twilight Elena

[pygmalion]

If it's long enough to catch in a bun holder and thick enough to stay put, I'd say yes. 8)

[dancin_feet]

I'm stuck for what to do with my hair for my big performance night coming up in a few weeks. I don't do my own hair, can't even do a bun that stays in place. A friend from dancing will probably come in a bit earlier and do my hair for me. My hair is dark blonde / brown shoulder length.

I'm doing a Tango routine, an extra in a friend's Cha routine (I'm supposed to be a prostitute), and I'm also playing Janet in our Rocky Horror Group routine.

I'd like to leave it at least partially down for the Group routine but I don't think that will suit my Tango.

Any suggestions for one style that will suit all? :?

[pygmalion]

A bun doesn't work with your length hair? Is it too fine? :? 8)

[pygmalion]

My thought is gel it back, and use a ballerina-style bun holder to keep it in place. *shrug* That's what I do, when my hair is long enough for a bun. 8) :D

[dancin_feet]

A bun doesn't work with your length hair? Is it too fine? :? 8)

Yes my hair is very fine and flyaway. But there is a lot of it. It could be my inept ability to put my own hair up why a bun doesn't work. I just thought a bun would be too harsh for playing Janet. She is supposed to be a sweet and innocent girl who gets corrupted along the way. Maybe a half bun at the top or middle of my head but leave the rest down? Arrgghh, I dunno. :?

Times like these I consider chopping it all off so I don't need to worry about it. But then I don't like my hair short. :lol:

[Another Elizabeth]

I'm doing a Tango routine, an extra in a friend's Cha routine (I'm supposed to be a prostitute), and I'm also playing Janet in our Rocky Horror Group routine.
What order will these be danced in?

[dancin_feet]

I'm doing a Tango routine, an extra in a friend's Cha routine (I'm supposed to be a prostitute), and I'm also playing Janet in our Rocky Horror Group routine.
What order will these be danced in?

Don't know. Won't know until we get to the venue. One of the studio owners annoying little habits. :evil: :lol:

[skwiggy]

I also have hair that barely stays in a simple bun without massive taming.

Do you use a hair net? That is really the key for me. Well, that and tons of gel, pins and hair spray. :) But none of it works without the hair net.

[dancin_feet]

I've thought about that, but for some reason I equate a hair net with little old grannies. :oops: I think my gran wore them a lot, that may be where I got the idea from. Clips don't stay in my hair, even crossed over bobby pins have been known to slip out. Unless I really gel my hair up so it sticks, but then it feels more like a helmet than hair! :lol:

Still got a few weeks to go so I'll probably change my mind a hundred times before then.

[skwiggy]

Don't worry about the old granny/hair net thing. You won't be wearing it in the same way that your old gran did. Get the really fine ones from the drug store. If you get the right color, you can't even see it. Trust me, it makes it soooooooo much easier.

[delamusica]

My hair is impossible to but in a secure bun without a hairnet - it's truly magic! And no one will be able to see it unless they're looking really closely, so don't worry about that. Seriously - hairnets are awesome for making a simple, secure bun.

[pygmalion]

What exactly do you do with the net? I'm envisioning cafeteria ladies from junior high. :shock: :lol: :lol:

[Elizabeth]

What exactly do you do with the net? I'm envisioning cafeteria ladies from junior high. :shock: :lol: :lol:

After you make the bun, you put the net over just the bun part. You'll probably have to twist and rap it a couple of times since the net will be much larger than the bun. I always use hairnets on buns, not matter whether I'm doing it on my own baby-fine hair, or on someone with really thick hair.

The net should be the fine kind, and you won't be able to see it from more than a foot away. If the granny image still bothers you, though, try buying a jeweled bun cover to put over it. :D

[pygmalion]

Oh. Okay. 8) So the net basically holds the bun together with its elasticity. That makes sense. 8)

[Elizabeth]

Oh. Okay. 8) So the net basically holds the bun together with its elasticity. That makes sense. 8)

Yep. Of course you still need bobby pins for structural integrity.

[chachachacat]

[ Maybe a half bun at the top or middle of my head but leave the rest down?


I vote for something like this, front part up, back down, like Debbie Travis of Painted House on HGTV. For Janet, I'd say hair down is better. You could spray the heck out of it, but Tango? with sharp head turns? What kind of Tango? You might be able to get there early and get a program, find out the order of dancing. If you dance Tango second, you might be able to do fast bun.
Good luck!

[Sakura]

I'm doing a Tango routine, an extra in a friend's Cha routine (I'm supposed to be a prostitute), and I'm also playing Janet in our Rocky Horror Group routine.

I'd like to leave it at least partially down for the Group routine but I don't think that will suit my Tango.

Any suggestions for one style that will suit all? :?


YAY, ROCKY HORROR! *coughs* Ahem. :twisted: :lol: :twisted: (Sorry, I go to the midnight shows where the people shout call-out lines and act it out -- I was on cast (Magenta) two times ago. I missed the last one and will miss the next one. :evil: So sad....)

As far as trying to figure out a hair style that will go for a Tango and for playing Janet -- Janet is suppost to have her hair down, you're right; but for the Tango, I can see you wanting it up. Do you have time in between the routines to throw it up into a ponytail quickly? Maybe you could keep a hair tie on your wrist.

Sakura Kitty :kitty:

[Twilight_Elena]

I also dance both styles - really anything seems to go, but generally a bun as has been discussed before seems to be the way to go.
A second suggestion for those of you out there with long hair is 2 buns - one regular one then a slightly smaller one above - this can form a really pretty looking "rose" effect and is very versatile for both styles.
Here is a picture:
http://www.ianvictoria.co.uk/images/latinhair.jpg

Just how on earth did you produce this marvelous effect? :shock: :shock: Is this hairpieces or real buns? How did you manage to stuff all the little strands of hair so that they don't frizz up?

Twilight Elena

[LXC]

Lovely hairdo, but my first quesiton is how to make hair jewelry like that? Does it have a metal base? It looks harder than stoned fabrics such as applique.

[Twilight_Elena]

I would guess she bought it made. Hmmm, I wonder where they sell hair jewellery like that... Accessories shops? Hair salons?

Twilight Elena